Corroon Responds To D.A. Miller's Request

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Salt Lake County District Attorney Lohra Miller says she needs 40 new staff members next year to handle what she expects to be an ever-increasing caseload. Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon says that's too much.

According to Corroon, Miller is asking for a 26% increase in staffing for her office. He says the county has agreed to a nearly 10% increase for the D.A.'s office, and that includes what Miller says were her top priorities.

Miller says the 2008 budget includes enough money to hire seven new staffers, but that doesn't include any new attorneys. The American Bar Association recommends an annual caseload of 150 felony cases per prosecutor. Miller says that by the end of 2007, prosecutors in her office will have an average caseload of about 215 cases.

Miller says she would need about $3 million to hire the 40 staffers she needs. Corroon says it would mean raising taxes to meet Miller's request.

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